On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, Longwood University declared a return to classes after closing for two days due to icy conditions. Longwood’s opening, which was delayed two hours to 10 a.m., was met with concern and frustration from students still iced in following the previous weekend’s storm.
Students received an alert on Tuesday night announcing the delay. While students traveled to their classes on Wednesday, many reported thick ice on their commutes and on campus. After putting out a call for photos and thoughts from students, The Rotunda received dozens of submissions from students of Lancer Park, Longwood Landings and other residential and academic areas.
“It was really frustrating that the sidewalks were still covered with ice and snow, especially around high traffic areas,” Senior Westen Wilbun said in a message to The Rotunda on Wednesday. “The patch of ice by Jarman is really not okay because that’s the only path to and from Chichester, Wheeler and Cox that’s even semi-clear. And I’ve seen a few people slip.”
Photo of Wheeler-Stevens Ramp on Wednesday morning. Photo courtesy of Glenn.
Another student, Sophomore Paxton Glenn, sent in multiple photos of an ice-covered ramp between Wheeler and Stevens Halls and the Jarman parking lot covered by ice. While the Jarman lot has been mostly cleared as of publication, the Wheeler ramp has not.
“This is a major accessibility issue for people living in Wheeler or anyone using that area,” Glenn said in a message to The Rotunda.
Furthermore, other students reported multiple accessibility issues to The Rotunda. Junior Samantha Madison reported that she struggled to find an accessible parking spot when returning to campus on Tuesday. While she was able to find one near her dorm in Stubbs Hall, it was surrounded by ice.
“I [found] it really hard to just get to my car without falling. I can’t afford to fall and hurt myself with my disability,” she said in a message to The Rotunda. She added that she “feels like Longwood doesn’t care about me.”
Stubbs-side entrance to the N.H. Scott Center on Wednesday morning. Photo courtesy of Lopez.
Furthermore, Junior Marla Lopez reported issues with accessibility at the newly reopened N.H. Scott Center at Lankford Hall. She sent photos of ice fully covering the path to the building’s accessible entrance on the ground floor headed to the elevator. Furthermore, the door could not be fully opened due to ice, partially blocking access.
On Wednesday morning, Assistant Dean of Students & ADA Coordinator Dr. Madeline Schutt sent an email to students registered with the Accessibility Resources Office (ARO). As part of the email, she wrote, “Please know that staff has worked hard to clear main campus, but there may be side entrances and parking spaces that are slick and still covered with snow.”
She added, “Please work directly with your faculty regarding classes and coursework and if you have in-person classes, please give yourselves plenty of time to get to class as routes and some side entrances may be blocked due to the snow/ice.” Schutt also encouraged students to contact their office with any further questions.
Photo of Lancer Park commuter lot from Wednesday morning. Photo courtesy of Priscilla Keller.
A number of students also reported icy conditions in Lancer Park (LP), including roads partially covered in ice surrounding LP North, LP South and ‘Old LP.’ Students speaking to The Rotunda on background reported spotting multiple cars struggling to drive safely, specifically on the uphill sections of Healy Street.
Furthermore, officials announced on Tuesday evening, “FAB buses will only pick up at the top of the hill on Cormier Drive [in Lancer Park]” on Wednesday. Eventually, at 12:24 p.m., Vice President for Student Affairs announced in an email to all students that the FAB would make the full loop following plowing in the area.
The Rotunda contacted University Spokesperson and Deputy to the President Matt McWilliams with questions, who responded with greater detail over how final decisions are made whether to close the University or remain open.
McWilliams wrote, “Each winter storm event is different and requires discussion of different factors, but one major factor is the ability for the community to move safely around main campus on foot – important because most of our students live either on or within walking distance of campus.”
He also wrote that a group of University staff and administrators meet at least once daily after a storm is forecasted. McWilliams wrote, “That group includes representatives from facilities, grounds, LUPD, the President’s office, Vice Presidential areas, emergency management, Budd Group, Aramark and others as needed.”
McWilliams also wrote, “This storm brought with it a unique set of circumstances. Forecasts were unclear about the amount of snow and ice that was headed our way, and the week after the storm passed was going to bring uncommonly low temperatures that would not only keep the snow around, but also linger on roads and sidewalks. We communicated this in an email to campus on Thursday.”
“By Tuesday afternoon, it was clear that the campus community was able to move around campus – for example to Dorrill Dining Hall and academic buildings – on foot,” he wrote. “While the conditions were not perfect, we were confident that we could re-open campus and in-person classes could resume while conditions continued to improve.”
McWilliams emphasized the role that the Landscaping and Grounds crew plays in the reopening of campus after winter weather. “I would like to add that the grounds and facilities team have worked very hard since Saturday to clear sidewalks, roads, parking lots, steps and entrances to buildings. They have started work before sunrise, and work into the evening hours. Our ability to resume classes and the services our student[s] count on depends very much on them.”
He concluded with, “Furthermore, there are people who are on campus even in the worst weather – among them LUPD, Aramark staff, Budd Group staff, faculty, and emergency management staff – have been on campus since Saturday responding to calls and assisting students when they need help. They have put in long hours, and the University appreciates all of them very much.”
Longwood is not the only university where students have voiced frustration over reopening despite icy conditions. At James Madison University (JMU) and Virginia Commonwealth University, students took to social media to express concern about their openings on Wednesday and Thursday.
At JMU, students returned to classes on Wednesday without delay, and students were told to, “Carpool with a friend. Walk. Take the bus” by university officials.
